WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1856
279
In describing this event, which I have done in two or three sen- tences, Du Pont occupies no less than four pages of the public documents-the most voluminous communication I ever saw for such an event. Lieutenant Stanley, who, I believe, has been dropped or furloughed-I do not know which-achieved a very handsome exploit, and I think he made his official report to his commanding officer in fourteen lines. He rowed fifteen miles up the beach, landed forty-five men at night, marched twelve miles into the interior, took and spiked three guns-one eighteen feet long, another sixteen and a half, and another twelve and a half feet long. · He spiked them-composition guns-and returned safely in the face of an enemy, supposed to number three hun- dred. He made a little report of fourteen lines; and he is one of the gentlemen who has been over slaughed. Stanley was en- gaged in three other actions there, and he is one of the most chivalrous and gallant men of the Navy: The only complaint which is made against him is that he is quarrelsome! Sir, I like sailors to quarrel in times of war, and do it effectually. It is a good notion, and I would not discountenance it. But, sir, from the laudations passed on Du Pont by my friend from Delaware the other day, I do not know but that some other members of the board ought to feel a little irritated and .uneasy. He says Du Pont was the leading spirit; that he always leads from the force of his superior intellect. I do not give the lan- guage, but I believe I give the general idea. Then he places the rest of the board in a secondary position, although some of them were of superior rank. Really it is not to be wondered at that this man should be conspicuous here, and should love fame and distinction. My friend did not say that he was not the most modest man in the world. He was not charged with vanity or a love of praise, of course; but a proud and gallant man is, and ought always to be fond of praise and just laudation. I am fur- nished with a very remarkable fact in relation to him. I have described the battle of San Jose, in which that landing took place, the march of two miles, and at the most four wounded. A doctor took out one ball. Really, it was like a fight that took place on the frontiers-I will not say precisely at what spot-but I can prove it by my colleague. It was thought there were about thir- teen killed; that was the whole number that could be found; and you know, sir, if a man kills game and does not find it, it is just as good as if it were not killed. They found but thirteen; and when they came to make out the official report it wns asked, how
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